Story
The Outlier Project was born from the ever changing landscape of the fitness industry and where the founder Darren Barber sat within it. Having spent a decade at the helm of Barber’s Gym, London, a big shift developed as he left Hackney with his family and started what became the first rendition of The Outlier Programme. This remote online fitness programme became the inspiration, support and motivation fulfilling the needs of the gym members he’d left behind at the beginning of 2020.
A personal and professional journey then followed as everyone pushed through the pandemic and navigated the turbulence of global politics and their stance on the matter. Physical culture and mental health became influenced by greater powers and this lead to the rethinking of everyone’s autonomy over their health and wellness, the power people have over access to our environment or sports, the health of our families and the way we can support our communities and friends.
Unbound by the walls of Barber’s Gym the concept of connecting more to the great outdoors and likeminded enthusiasts, surfers, climbers, skaters and mountain sliders became more accessible. All the things we as outlier’s strive to do more of and explore with our physical selves and creative minds. This opportunity was far too great to miss in Darren’s eyes having matured an outlier of mainstream sport the idea of free thinking, free moving and free sporting lit up a concept of blending it all without constraint. A lifestyle and community around physical culture to improve whatever freedom of movement you desire to chase.
After three years on the road between the UK, Denmark, France and Portugal the ever evolving remote training package became The Outlier Project and is our ongoing work. Now offering The Outlier Programme membership as a web based subscription for remote training as well as one to one coaching online and in person. The online portal delivers 5 weekly blackboard workouts, 3 live zoom workouts, prerecorded follow along workout videos, an exercise description library, monthly community catch ups. Also introducing quarterly excursions where we camp, surf, climb, ride and spend time in the great outdoors.
Now based in Denmark there are plans to host more workshops, retreats and local in person training. Locations, spaces and opportunities to gather, come and go, so taking advantage of the meta-verse for a stable point of reference and a soundboard to connect on, share ideas and develop a community are the next step forward.
Join us.
